RIP Angus Scrimm. Long Live The Tall Man

January 11, 2016

January 11, 2016

Angus Scrimm1926 – 2016

Lawrence Rory Guy, also known as Angus Scrimm, and best known for this work in the cult classic Phantasm films by Don Coscarelli, passed away January 9, 2016. He was 89 years old, and still very active in the film and horror communities.

Born in Kansas in 1926, the American actor started off as a journalist before turning to acting in 1973. He typically played ‘the heavy’ due to his tall stature of 6’4”. In 1979, he played The Tall Man in the first of the Phantasm films, and has continued playing the character in all 4 sequels, including the fifth installment set to be released this year. The Tall Man has risen in the ranks over the years to become one of the most iconic characters in horror cinema history, rubbing shoulders with others greats like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. Rarely speaking any dialogue as The Tall Man, Scrimm managed to send shivers down the audience’s spines just by raising an eyebrow. Scrimm also spoofed the character in the horror/comedy Transylvania Twist.

While not flinging out his bladed metal spheres in the Phantasm films, Scrimm supplied quirky, off-beat characters in many other films such as I Sell The Dead, John Dies At The End, a prominent role in Incident On and Off a Mountain Road for the Masters of Horror series, and also provided the narration for Wes Craven’s Wishmaster.

Principle photography has wrapped for the fifth and final Phantasm film, Phantasm V: Ravager, and the film with be released some time later this year, featuring Scrimm playing his most famous role one last time.

Angus Scrimm was a perfect gentleman and enjoyed meeting his fans at horror and film conventions around the world. The man was a legend, and he will be sorely missed.

BOB PASTORELLA

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